BTN415 - Data Communications Programming

Outline info
Semester
School
Last revision date 2023-10-02 00:51:02.59
Last review date 2023-12-04 00:15:10.476


Subject Title
Data Communications Programming

Subject Description
This course provides a technical foundation of data communications and network technology. It introduces the terminology and design concepts of networking and data communications. It studies the Internet protocol suite, and compares the concepts of the Internet to other protocol standards of today. The course covers the socket API in C/C++ and introduces the foundations of designing and developing client/server based systems, looking at data manipulation and integrity during transmission.

Credit Status
1 credit (3 units)
Required for BSD - Bachelor of Technology (Software Development)

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Depth and Breadth of Knowledge
a) Explain the organization of protocol definitions in order to identify their semantics and syntax properties
b) Interpret standards and protocols used to transfer data between client and server systems

Application of Knowledge
a) Apply standards and protocols to the context of software engineering principles
b) Implement protocol definitions using compound data structures and objects in order to create/decode data packets
c) Customize data communication by encapsulating protocols for transmission over other communication links

Knowledge of Methodologies
a) Experiment with data communication handshaking methods and validation to ensure a proper transmission of a data packet

Communication Skills
a) Write a technical paper on a data communications protocol to define the requirements for a  client/server application
b) Interpret binary and hexadecimal data in order to encode/decode and manipulate transmitted data

Awareness of the Limits of Knowledge
a) Evaluate the difference between reliable and unreliable protocols in order to select the right approach during client/server software design

Professional Capacity/Autonomy
a) Validate the transmission of communications between client/server applications to ensure a proper connection was established (debugging activities)

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.

Prerequisite(s)
BTP200

Topic Outline

  • Review of OOP Principles
    • Pointers, Classes, Structures
  • Introduction to Networking, Concepts and Terminology
  • Review of Memory Management
    • Pointers, Arrays, Strings, RAW Data
  • Introduction to Sockets Part 1 -- Reliable Connections TCP/IP
  • Introduction to Sockets Part 2 -- Unreliable Connections (UDP/IP
  • Client/Server Design -- Packet Structures Part 1
    • Packet definitions using structures and classes
  • Client/Server Design -- Packet Structures Part 2
    • Mutli-threaded server models
    • Bit Definitions and Manipulation
  • Troubleshooting and Monitoring
  • Data Integrity using Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) Algorithms

Mode of Instruction
Modes: In-class lecture, in-class exercises, and hands-on activity
Hours per week: 4
Room configurations: Classroom
Typical scheduling pattern: Winter term

Prescribed Texts
None

Reference Material
Object Oriented Software Development Using C++11
Dr. Chris M. Szalwinski
June 2014
Published by Seneca College School of ICT

C/C++ Essential Training, Bill Weinman (Lynda.com)

Visual Studio Tutorials, Walt Ritscher (Lynda.com)

Endianness, Wikipedia Reference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/endianness)

Endianness, Michael Cote, YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrNF0KRAlyo)

References, Charles Germany, YouTube
Part 1:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlqYwXcUdn0)
Part 2:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaLQ7z1X6wo)

​Wireshark:  https://www.wireshark.org

Student Progression and Promotion Policy
To obtain a credit in this subject, a student must:

  • Achieve a passing grade on the final exam
  • Satisfactorily complete the term project
  • Achieve a passing grade on the overall course


http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/student-progression-and-promotion-policy.html

Grading Policyhttp://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/grading-policy.html

A+ 90%  to  100%
A 80%  to  89%
B+ 75%  to  79%
B 70%  to  74%
C+ 65%  to  69%
C 60%  to  64%
D+ 55%  to  59%
D 50%  to  54%
F 0%    to  49% (Not a Pass)
OR
EXC Excellent
SAT Satisfactory
UNSAT Unsatisfactory

For further information, see a copy of the Academic Policy, available online (http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academics-and-student-services.html) or at Seneca's Registrar's Offices.(https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/registrar.html).


Modes of Evaluation

Labs 20%
Quizzes 10%
Tests (2) 20%
Term assignment 20%
Final exam 30%

Approved by: Kathy Dumanski